WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - For the second year in a row, the University of the Cumberlands' CCTV-19 placed first in the Overall Broadcast Division at the annual Baptist Press Student Journalism Conference. CCTV-19 programs have won the annual competition four times in the six year history of the Student Journalism Conference conducted each October at the Baptist Press national headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. The entries are judged by communication professionals from around the nation.

“Patriot Talk” is a variety and talk program featuring campus and community topics ranging from serious issues such as Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts by campus and community groups, to light-hearted subjects such as student fashion shows and dorm room makeovers.

This is the second time in the winner's circle for “Patriot Talk” and the first CCTV-19 program with back to back wins. 19 News took 1st place honors in 2001, then “Thursday's Discussion” did the same in 2003 followed by “Patriot Talk” in 2005.

General Manager John Williams was particularly pleased with this year's award saying, "We had this odd year / even year thing going on where in odd years we finished first and in even years we finished second. Now we need to really buckle down and work hard for a three-peat." 19 News has won the most awards with a 1st place finish and two 2nd place finishes.

CCTV-19 Underwriting Director Sarah Martin (Senior; Clarkson, Ky.) accepted the award for “Patriot Talk” on behalf of the station. "I am very excited that we won. I feel that I am a better journalist now because of the things I learned at the conference." Martin attended several seminars over the two-day conference on a variety of journalism topics. "One of the most interesting meetings I attended was one on how to be a better interviewer. That's something I will continue to use throughout my career in communication," she said.

Always looking for an edge, Williams says that “Patriot Talk” is undergoing a face lift this year. "In the past most of the shows have been produced live, with some field segments rolled into the show via tape following a live intro. This was done mostly to service the demands placed on the hosts to produce a live show each week. This semester we are reducing the number of programs from 12 to six," he said.

Williams believes with more time to spend on each show that this semester's hosts, Jenny Burke (Senior; Lexington, Ky.), Maggie Callis Senior; Van Learn, Ky.), Sarah Martin (Senior; Clarkson, Ky.), Willis Ring (Senior; Whitesburg, Ky.), Carson Payne (Senior; Williamsburg, Ky.), and David Wynn (Senior; Woodbine, Ky.) will be taking the show into the field more often. Episode one, for example, featured a sports theme with all but one segment being taped in the field.

Each of the six episodes shown this semester will have its own central theme: Halloween, Magic, Pets, “Cinderella” and Christmas. The programs will air at noon and midnight, and 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. every two weeks.

Rounding out the crew for “Patriot Talk” this year is director Jonathan Meadors (Senior, Corbin, Ky.), Chasing the Masses reporter Aslean White Senior, Lexington, Ky.), and studio technician Jordan Robinson (Freshman; Crestwood, Ky.) for a total of nine students to produce the show. In contrast, 19 News which is produced live each Friday at 12:30 p.m. has 16 students working that show.

Williams isn't worried about the smallness of the “Patriot Talk” team because "My philosophy for running CCTV-19 and teaching television is simple, put tools and resources into the hands of my students and they'll take care of the rest," he said.

With four first places finishes in six years and two in a row by “Patriot Talk”, the philosophy appears to be working well. Patriot Television remains to be Whitley County's only award-winning, live local television news. Stay tuned.